The Glimmer Repository

PUBLISHED ART

2010-03-11T11:49:00.003-06:00

These are the mixed-media/collage submissions that were published in Somerset Studio Magazine. I'm adding them so that I've got them somewhere online that is easy to access.

FUN WITH PHOTOGRAPHY

2010-03-11T10:40:00.014-06:00

So, a couple of weeks ago I was playing Farmville on Facebook, yes my name is Wynna and I am an addict. Anyway, I saw an ad on the side of the page for this cool app called Camera Bag. It's a fantastic little application that allows you to quickly apply unique and interesting filters to your photographs. Here are some examples of what I did with it ...

GOODBYE GALA, AND GOOD RIDDANCE...

2010-03-11T10:01:00.005-06:00

This year's Parish School Gala has come and gone :) I donated my graphic design services for the invitation and logo design again this year. They were tri-fold invites. The right third part of the top image is the front.

Here is last year's invite below. The bottom image is the cd design for the soundtrack that was part of thespecial donor gift baskets

YUMMY LAMPWORK BEADS!

2008-05-29T17:10:00.002-05:00

I love lampwork beads and I use them often in my jewelry. There is something really magical about combining the lampwork with gemstones! Here are a couple of new pieces that I made using lampwork beads...

NEW CHINESE TURQUOISE!!!

2008-05-01T09:26:00.006-05:00

One of my customers recently gave me quite the education on turquoise and the scarcity of true American turquoise available on the market. It is really important to me that I provide my customers with the real deal so since that doesn't seem to be an option I'm going to offer the next best thing. I picked up some of the most fabulous Chinese turquoise in fancy shapes with unbelievable color at the latest bead show, and it is going to blow you away!!!

Green Tablet Focal Beads
(Sold by the piece and price based on carat weight)

Carved Pumpkin Focal Beads
(Sold by the piece and price based on carat weight)

Heart Focal Bead 1

Heart Focal Bead 2

Heart Focal Bead 3

Heart Focal Bead 4

Heart Focal Bead 5

Heart Focal Bead 6

Heart Focal Bead 7

Heart Focal Bead 8

Heart Focal Bead Pair

Heart Focal Bead 9

Heart Focal Bead 10

FINALLY, SOME NEW BEADS!!!

2008-05-01T08:38:00.007-05:00

Here is a sneak peek of some of my new bead inventory. I am still getting everything ready to list in the shop so please bear with me.

If you would like me to create a reserved listing for one or more of these beads, please send an e-mail with your request to: orders@glimmerrepository.com. * This feature is for Etsy customers only so please include your Etsy username in the e-mail. Thanks :)

Blue Mystic Topaz Faceted Teardrop Briolette Pairs

Tourmaline Faceted Pear Briolette Strands

Large Mixed Rutilated Quartz Faceted Pear Briolette Strands

Moss Amethyst Faceted Pear Briolette Strands

Peruvian Opal Smooth Nugget Bead Strands (Dyed)

Rhodolite CZ Faceted Heart Briolette Strands

Sunstone Cross-Drilled Smooth Nugget Strands

Berry Garnet Faceted Ring-Cut Briolette Strands

Center-Drilled White Keishi Pearl Strands (VERY HARD TO FIND!!!)

Mexican Fire Opal Faceted Heart Briolette Strand (ONLY ONE)

Peach, Gray, and White Reflective Moonstone
Faceted Fancy Diamond Shaped Briolette Strands

Huge Pink Amethyst Faceted Pear Briolette Parcels

12mm White Round Freshwater Pearl Strands

Lemon Quartz Faceted Cube Beads

Aquamarine Faceted Teardrop Briolette Strand, Excellent Color (ONLY ONE)

AAA Gem Quality Citrine Faceted Teardrop Focal Bead

AAA Kyanite Faceted Teardrop Briolette Parcels

AAA Gem Quality Crystal Faceted Teardrop HUGE Focal Bead

Step Cut Lemon Quartz Oval Beads

SNEAK PEEK

2008-02-29T00:57:00.006-06:00

I've been promising to get some of the new beads up for another sneak preview but this week has just flown by me. Here is the best that I could do for tonight...

Labradorite Step Cut Faceted and Twisted Briolette Strand

Aquamarine Multicolor Faceted Pear Briolette Strand

Kyanite Smooth Thin Rondelle Strand

GEM African Spinel Faceted Rondelle Strand

Aquamarine Multicolor Large Faceted Nugget Strand 1

Aquamarine Multicolor Large Faceted Nugget Strand 2

Grossular Green Garnet Faceted Heart Briolette Strand

White Topaz Faceted Cube Parcel (10 beads)

Apple Green Turquoise Center-Drilled Nuggets

Aqua Chalcedony Faceted Tire Strand

GIGANTIC Smooth Rock Crystal Pebble Focal Beads (sold by the piece)

Shaded Green Tourmaline Faceted Rondelle Strand

Kunzite Faceted Pear Briolette Strand (this one is reserved
but I have one more)

FINALLY, SOME NEW JEWELRY!

2008-02-23T02:48:00.007-06:00

I have been slowly putting these pieces together in my spare time (haha like there is such a thing). We finally had some pretty weather this week and the sun peeked through the clouds long enough for me to take some pictures. Here are some new pieces coming to my jewelry shop...

TURQUOISE ROSE BRACELET
Artisan lampwork focal bead, thick rondelle slabs of turquoise,
and sterling silver bali beads, spacers, bead caps, and clasp.

TURQUOISE ROSE EARRINGS

Artisan lampwork beads, thick turquoise rondelles, fancy cut
smoky quartz briolettes, sterling silver bali ear wires and
spacer beads.

A RIDE ON THE FERRIS WHEEL EARRINGS
Sterling silver hand-formed and coiled elongated hoops support
artisan lampwork beads with sterling silver bali spacers on each end.

JIMI'S GUITAR EARRINGS
Artisan lampwork beads, fancy cut citrine briolettes, gold-filled
wire and hand-forged gold-filled ear wires.

SUNBURST SLICE EARRINGS

Artisan lampwork beads, big fancy cut faceted lemon quartz
briolettes, gold-filled twisted jumprings, and gold-filled
hand-forged ear wires.

COURT JESTER EARRINGS
Two sets of artisan lampwork beads, faceted puff rice olive quartz
briolettes, gold-filled twisted jumprings and gold-filled
fleur de lis leverbacks.

BLACK-EYED PEA WEARS A SKIRT EARRINGS
Artisan lampwork beads, artisan lampwork ruffles, smoky quartz
pear faceted briolettes, gold-filled hand-forged ear wires.

NEW BEADS COMING THIS WEEK!

2008-02-11T03:30:00.001-06:00

Coming this week to the shop.....

Smoky Quartz Step Faceted Nuggets

Spectrolite (sometimes mistakenly called "Blue Labradorite") Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Peachy Citrine Smooth & Polished Freeform Nuggets

Pink Amethyst Big Faceted Wheels

Rock Crystal Step Faceted Nuggets

Large Olive Quartz Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

18mm Chrysocolla Smooth Rondelles

Rose Quartz Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Sillimanite Smooth Polished Pear Briolettes

Grossular Garnet Checker Cut Faceted Diamond Shaped Briolettes

Small Raspberry Freshwater Button Pearls

Kunzite Tablet Shaped Nuggets

Amethyst Faceted Pear Briolettes

Berry Garnet Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Apatite Step Faceted and Twisted Briolettes

Amethyst Checker Cut Rectangular Chicklets

I Am Officially O-L-D, OLD!

2008-02-11T03:01:00.000-06:00

I realized something really kind of shocking this weekend. I am no longer one of the "young people" at family get-togethers. I am officially one of the adults, which by association also makes me officially old. This shocking revelation came to me when I was telling my two nieces and my sister-in-law about the circumstances surrounding my husband's marriage proposal.

I met my darling Jason in art school in a web design class. I admired his incredible height and commanding presence all quarter long and finally on the last day of class he noticed me. It was St. Patrick's Day and we ended up going to a bar with some of our classmates to celebrate the end of finals. After closing down the bar and heading to Denny's for a hearty breakfast, we parted ways. Before leaving he gave me his cell phone number. I found this odd because back then, guys still asked for a girl's phone number, and it wasn't a forgone conclusion that everyone owned a cell phone. Usually you only had a cell phone if you were really important and need it for work, if you had money to burn, or if you were sneaking around on your wife. Why didn't he just ask for my number? Why didn't he give me his work or home number? So, I assumed that he was married and I didn't call him. I mean, really, I didn't need that kind of complication in my life. As it turns out, he had gone back to school after being discharged from the Air Force and he was staying with friends until he graduated. I realize now, years later, that he didn't ask for my phone number because I could have said "no" or given him a fake one.

Now, you are probably trying to figure out how this would make me feel old. As I am telling the story to my nieces, ages 20 & 22, they are staring at me like I'm crazy. "Aunt Wynna, why did you think that he was married when he gave you his cell number?!" So it dawned on me that they have never known a time when kids didn't have their very own cell phones attached to their heads at all hours of the day and night. It aged me considerably to have to explain that "back then" not everyone had a cell phone and we didn't use them constantly like we do now. I don't think I even knew what texting was back then...it might not have even been available yet.

Now that I sit at the computer writing in my little blog, I realize that this is exactly what my mom must have felt like when she told me about when she was a little girl and her father brought home the very first color television in their town. Her father worked at RCA in New York City so they were able to get one before they were really out on the market and affordable for everyone. I remember being totally astounded that she actually had a black and white television and that she was alive when they invented color technology. She might as well have told me that her father was Thomas Edison and that she was there when he invented the light bulb.

How strange is it that you spend the entirety of your youth wishing you were grown up and once you get your wish all you want is to be young, innocent, and responsibility-free? My mom warned me not to wish my childhood away, but as with everything in life, perspective is everything and when you are a kid that is something that you don't have in abundance. So, at the age of 31, I am officially old. I've been welcomed to the club.

MORE NEW BEADS!!!

2008-02-02T23:37:00.000-06:00

I've been promising my customers an update on new items that will be appearing in my shop this coming week so here is a sneak peek...

Semi-Precious Multicolored Micro Faceted Rondelles

Small Purple Freshwater Nugget Pearls

Faceted Round Angel Skin Coral Beads

Chrysoprase Faceted Rondelle Strand

Mexican Fire Opal Faceted Pear Briolettes

Apatite Faceted Heart Briolettes

Cola Chalcedony Smooth Teardrop Briolettes

Labradorite Step Cut Faceted and Twisted Briolettes (TONS OF FLASH!)

Mystic Rock Crystal Smooth Twisted Beads

Lemon Quartz Step Cut Faceted and Twisted Rondelles (Large)

I HIT THE JACKPOT AT THE BEAD SHOW!!!

2008-01-27T21:07:00.000-06:00

Here is a preview of the new selection of beads that I will be adding to my shop in the coming days. If you are interested in any of them I will gladly create reserved listings for you. Some of these strands are one-of-a-kind so when they are gone, they are gone for good.

Burmese Ruby Faceted Rondelles

Large White Round Freshwater Pearls

Gemmy Watermelon Tourmaline Micro Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Bi-Color Quartz Faceted Pencil Beads

Shaded Sapphire Faceted Rondelles

Neon Apatite Shaded Step Cut Faceted & Twisted Briolettes

Peridot Ring Cut Faceted Briolettes

Citrine Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Fuchsia Dyed Rainbow Moonstone Smooth Organic Teardrop Briolettes

Tangerine Chalcedony Faceted Heart Briolettes

Aqua Chalcedony Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Cornflower Blue Chalcedony Faceted Teardrop Briolettes

Pink Amethyst Fancy Cut Faceted Diamond Beads

Happy 35th Mom & Dad!

2008-01-27T21:03:00.001-06:00

My parent's 35th wedding anniversary was the 20th of January and I sent my mom flowers from Martha Stewart Flowers and she was very pleased. Some people think that it's best to ignore the grief and the pain by never asking her how she is doing or never mentioning my dad, as if he never existed. They just don't understand that he dies a little bit more every time they do that. Talking about him and sharing stories is part of how we celebrate his life and it helps to keep him here with us. So, when their anniversary came around, the first one without him here, I couldn't not acknowledge that. Thirty-five years is a lifetime for some people. I've been married for six years and I can't fathom what it will feel like to have been partners and best-friends with someone for even half that long. What an accomplishment!

When I look at my mom I just don't see a "widow". She's so vital and young and blonde! She doesn't look old enough to be a widow and in her heart she is still so very married. I told her once that her marriage didn't have to be over if she didn't want it to. This could just be a new step in their journey together, with him waiting for her on the other side. She seemed so surprised...as if she'd never considered that. I think one of the first things you do when you lose a spouse is to examine all of the things that you will never have again or do again with that person. You don't often consider the possibility that your situation isn't final. Besides, how can their marriage be over when he visits her from time to time? He's visited me too. I think it's his way of saying that he's okay and that we shouldn't worry about him.

I see him in my dreams all the time these days, but there was one dream, the first one that I had after he died, where he spoke to me and I know it was a message and not just my mind trying to make sense of things. He was so real, like I could have reached out and touched him. Everything else in the dream became fuzzy around the edges and he was the only thing in sharp focus. The rest of the dream was convoluted and strange, not making much sense, as most dreams don't, but there was this moment of clarity with my dad right in the middle of all of this weirdness. He was sitting at a table by a pool in the south of France with my mom drinking a Lava Flow (his favorite drink from their vacations in Hawaii), and I said to him,"I'm sorry you didn't have more time." And he looked at me in that way that he had, kind of gruff and impatient and said,"I don't need more time." And then softer and with a hint of a smile, "It's okay, it's okay." Then he sat back in the chair, looking completely at peace, and gave me a big smile.

See, this is why I don't write more often, now I'm crying. I read in "Women's Home Journal" in December that you shouldn't hold in your tears because the tears that you cry when you are really upset or unhappy actually release your stress...that you actually cry your stress out. I am probably butchering their explanation, but it made perfect sense at the time. They said that the chemical make-up of regular tears is different from the chemical make-up of the tears that you cry when you are grieving. They said that that was why we feel so much better after a good cry.
Interesting, don't you think?

Goodbye and Good Riddance, 2007!

2008-01-27T19:29:00.000-06:00

Well, Christmas and New Year's have come and gone and I for one am THRILLED that 2007 is OVER!!! The holidays were really hard this year, understandable considering the circumstances. I've managed to survive the first Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday without my dad, and as I told a good friend who recently lost his mother, at least we won't have to face that ever again. They say that the firsts are the hardest and I sincerely hope that is true.

Christmas was saved by the constant hilarity that is my 3 year-old daughter, Charlie. Her joy and wonderment makes the hardest days so much sunnier. I was definitely guilty of shop-therapy during the holidays so it took us two days to get all of her gifts opened. But, the funniest part of the day was when my brother showed up (late as usual) and we were all outside with Charlie while she tried out her new Radio Flyer tricycle.

She was starting to enjoy her little ride when her Uncle Chuck drove down the street and parked in front of the house. This is when things got a little bit tricky...you will see what I mean...

Needless to say, she hasn't been very interested in the tricycle since. This is one kid who knows a better deal when she sees one. But alas, a corvette wasn't in the cards for her this Chrismas. A week later (due to inclement weather difficulties) she did get a car of her very own, just like Mom's. Move over Dale Earnhardt, Jr.!!! Happiness is a Chevrolet.

BEADS, BEADS, AND MORE BEADS!!!

2007-11-28T01:41:00.000-06:00

Well, we FINALLY had a few beautiful days of weather and I've been able to take photos of some of the new beads that I will be listing in my shop before the end of the week. Here's a sneak peek....

Smoky Quartz Checker Faceted Dime Beads, 15" Strand

AAA Brown Zicron Shaded Microfaceted Rondelles, 16" Strand

Gold and Brown Rutilated Quartz Step Cut Faceted Twist Beads, 16" Strand

Large Natural Rock Crystal Faceted Heart Briolette Strand

Labradorite Faceted Puff Briolettes, Half Strand, 4"

Labradorite Smooth Cross-Drilled Oval Beads, 8" Strand

Chrysocolla Smooth Oval Tablet Beads, 16" Strand

AAA Blue Zircon Faceted Teardrop Briolettes, Half Strand, 8"

AAA Blue Zircon Faceted Oval Nugget Beads, Half Strand, 8"

Keep an eye out for the jewelry that I posted during the last few days...it will be added to my jewelry shop this week too! Also, gift certificates and holiday gift wrap, COMING SOON!

More New Jewelry

2007-11-24T21:06:00.000-06:00

I made these earrings the other night and I've been dying to post them! However, it's been overcast and rainy here so the sunlight has been elusive and I had to use some artificial light to photograph these. Not exactly perfect shots, but they will do :)

Snowdrift Earrings
Rainbow moonstone faceted teardrops, fancy crystal briolettes, sterling silver wire.

Joyful Heart Earrings
Fancy crystal briolettes, microfaceted rondelles in the following stones: carnelian, citrine, sunstone, peridot, vessonite, phrenite, fluorite, iolite, apatite, amethyst. Hand-forged sterling silver earwires and headpins.

Snowflakes Earrings
Rainbow moonstone faceted heishi beads, rainbow moonstone faceted onion briolettes, sterling silver faceted disco ball beads, sterling silver chain and hand-forged earwires.

Mulberry Earrings
Peacock seed pearls, peridot zircon briolettes, hand-forged sterling silver headpins and earwires.

Adventures In Crafting

2007-11-24T13:50:00.000-06:00

My mom is an amazing floral designer. I've watched her do it and I've thought, "Well, I could do that!" But, alas, I can not. At least I can't do it the way she does. We spent Black Friday at Hobby Lobby, two of them in fact. I gathered all the ingredients necessary for the perfect Christmas wreath and with the gorgeous autumn wreath that my mom made at my side I thought it would be easy peasy. I figured that I would just duplicate her wreath but with Christmasy stuff. It took FOREVER! I lost count of the hours after three. It is finally done but I realized while scaling down these pictures that the pear in the upper right side kind of looks like a penis. That takes a little bit of the Christmas spirit out of it for me. What do you think?

Keeping Busy, Making Jewelry

2007-11-21T21:13:00.000-06:00

Today was a very busy day. I just finished designing an invitation for the annual fundraising gala for my daughter's school, The Parish School. I had to rework the envelope design and get it to the printer before noon today, ugh, what a rush! I've attached an image of the front of the invite and would love to hear your opinions (see below). The theme for this year is Mardi Gras and I was completely unprepared and uninspired because I've never been to Mardi Gras or New Orleans. I found this incredible carnivale mask image on istockphoto.com and it was just perfect.

After my little one went down for her afternoon nap I took some pictures of some earrings that I made the other day. I am really into garnets right now. I can't seem to get enough rhodolite garnet, their stunning rich raspberry color is just scrumptious! I also made three pairs of earrings with some exceptionally pretty rainbow moonstone. I'll post pics of them when I can get enough sunshine to photograph by.

Perfect Pansies Earrings
Pink amethyst faceted nuggets, rhodolite garnet faceted puff rice briolettes, peridot faceted rounds, apatite step cut twisted rondelles, fancy cut citrine flower briolettes, gold-fill wire.

Blackcurrant Earrings
Rhodolite garnet faceted rounds in small and medium sizes, rhodolite garnet microfaceted rondelles, deep berry garnet faceted onion briolettes, and gold-fill chain, wire, and findings.

Grapes & Honey Earrings
Grossular green garnet beads in faceted chicklet shape, microfaceted rondelles, and faceted onion briolettes. Gold-filled wire, chain, and findings.

Autumnal Bouquet Earrings
Smoky quartz step cut faceted ovals, peridot zircon faceted briolettes, fancy carnelian faceted flower briolettes, and gold-filled wire and handmade ear wires.

Carrot Sticks Earrings
Carnelian microfaceted rondelles and long tapered faceted rice briolettes. Gold-filled wire and hand-forged gold-filled ear wires.

Have a safe, happy, and filling Thanksgiving!!!

Giving Thanks This Thanksgiving...

2007-11-21T03:19:00.000-06:00

Well, here we are...I've finally broken down and started a blog. It is a sad state of affairs when my best-friend, who has no web design background, is becoming more web savvy than I am. So, I'm jumping off of the bridge just like all the rest. I guess I hesitated to start a blog because I have absolutely no extra time and I didn't think that I had anything worth talking about. Unfortunately, that all changed about 6 weeks ago when my dad died.

It was a sudden and completely unexpected thing. There is something about death that makes you question everything else in your life and it gives you a new perspective on things, and I've found that perspective can be everything. I have decided to simplify my life! I am going to choose to do things that make me happy and get rid of the things that don't. I am going to try to stop creating problems and start finding new ways to solve the ones I already have. I am going to spend as much time as possible with my family because the illusion that tomorrow is guaranteed is a thing of the past. But, most of all, I am going to say what I think and how I feel. I won't hesitate to tell someone important how much I love them, how grateful I am for all that they have done for me, and how very thankful I am that they were my dad.

One of my favorite authors is Jan Karon. She writes a series of books about an Episcopal priest who lives in mythical Mitford, North Carolina. In the final book of the series, Father Tim, the main character, gives a sermon in which he has only 4 words to share with the congregation, "In EVERYTHING...give thanks." It seems like a simple concept but when you think about what "everything" means, all of a sudden its not so simple. This probably seems like a random thing to write about but I had to share it because Thanksgiving is in 2 days, and since my dad passed away I didn't think I'd have anything to be thankful for. Then I remembered the story from this book and it reminded me of all of the good that I can be thankful for in this terrible tragedy. I can be thankful that he will never, ever suffer again. I can be thankful for all of the time that we had together and for all of the years that he spent sacrificing so that we would be safe and happy and comfortable. I can be thankful that my parents had almost 35 years of marriage and that they were true partners. I can be thankful that he loved me and I can be thankful for the knowledge that that love doesn't end in death, it will live on forever.

So, as the first Thanksgiving without my dad comes around, I say to you, "Be thankful for every single moment in your life no matter how exhausting or disappointing because none of us are guaranteed another one. Be thankful for the time that you have had and the ability to look back on it and learn from it. Be thankful that you are loved and that you have someone to love you in return. But most of all, be thankful for the hard, painful things, the things that make you cry, the things that test your mettle, because those are the things that make us who we truly are."